West Notes: Kershaw, Dodgers, Young, Wells, Booty
Commissioner Bud Selig weighed in on the Houston Astros' strategy and payroll, saying that the organization has "chosen the path with some very qualfied people" and that he "think[s] they're doing it the right way." ESPN's Buster Olney writes (Insider sub. req'd) that baseball should be more cautious in endorsing what he characterizes as a "strategy to lose." Of course, it remains to be seen how the major league club will compete this season in what figures to be a tough AL West.
- With today's news of a big extension for Adam Wainwright, attention could turn to another ace who could be extended: the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw. According to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times, however, Kershaw does not want to keep negotiations open past spring training and is staying quiet as to whether there has been any progress. Hernandez also notes that Kershaw's agents, Casey Close and J.D. Smart, visited Dodger camp a week ago but were not not actively discussing a Kershaw extension.
- The time is now for the Dodgers to decide what to do with their excess starting pitching, writes Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles TImes. Aaron Harang, for one, may have thrown his last pitch in Dodger blue. While Harang's tepid spring is a deterrent, Dilbeck notes that the righty threw well last season and should draw suitors.
- Chris Young could sign with the Angels, tweets Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, who also notes that the Mets are highly unlikely to sign him. The righty is back on the market after opting out of his contract with the Nationals.
- Mariners manager Eric Wedge says a decision between outfielders Casper Wells and Jason Bay will be made soon, leading Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times to posit that Wells could already have been put on waivers. If Wells is indeed put on waivers, he would be an option for the Phillies, tweets Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- The Diamondbacks have released Josh Booty, who earned a non-roster invite as the winner of "The Next Knuckler," the team announced on Twitter. The former QB was originally drafted by the Marlins fifth overall back in 1994 before he retired to pursue football, which meant that he was still technically under Marlins control when he joined Arizona for the spring.
Angels Acquire Elvin Ramirez From Mets
The Angels have acquired minor-league righty Elvin Ramirez from the Mets for cash consideration, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports on Twitter. Ramirez was one of the players mentioned yesterday by ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin as being shopped by the roster-spot-hungry Mets. Rubin notes on Twitter that this deal leaves 38 occupied spots on the team's 40-man roster.
For Los Angeles, they are acquiring a pitcher who has only thrown 21 1/3 big league innnings, over which he compiled a 5.48 ERA. In addition to that brief audition last year with the Mets, Ramirez logged a composite 2.13 ERA over 55 minor league innings in 2012, 42 of which were spent in Triple-A.
Rays Trade De La Rosa To Angels For Geltz
The Rays have traded right-hander Dane De La Rosa to the Angels for fellow righty Steve Geltz, tweets Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. A Rays press release confirmed the move, and noted that Geltz will begin the year in Triple-A Durham. Both players had previously been outrighted to Triple-A by their former clubs.
Neither pitcher has seen much time at the major league level. In addition to his 12 appearances with the big club over the last two seasons, the 30-year-old De La Rosa pitched to a 2.79 ERA over 67 2/3 innings pitched last season in Triple-A. And as MLBTR noted yesterday when he was outrighted by his former club, Geltz tossed just two major league innings last year and had mixed results between Double-A and Triple-A.
Angels Sign Mark Lowe
The Angels signed reliever Mark Lowe to a minor league deal, tweets Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times. Lowe will be in big-league camp with the Halos, who open the season in Cincinnati on Monday. Lowe had signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers in February, but was released three days ago. He's represented by Frye McCann Sports.
Lowe, 29, posted a 3.43 ERA, 6.4 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 1.14 HR/9, and 33.9% groundball rate in 39 1/3 big league innings for the Rangers last year. The hard-throwing righty missed time with an abdomen strain.
Yesterday, MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez wrote that three relievers — Mitch Stetter, David Carpenter, and favorite Garrett Richards — were fighting for two spots in the Angels' Opening Day bullpen. The team's bullpen also includes Ernesto Frieri, Sean Burnett, Kevin Jepsen, Scott Downs, and Jerome Williams, with Ryan Madson slated to start the season on the DL.
AL West Notes: Wells, Angels, Bourjos, Astros
The Angels surprised many on Sunday when they shipped Vernon Wells to the Yankees and received a significant amount of salary relief in the deal. The Halos are happy to have the Yanks pick up $13.9MM of the $42MM owed to Wells over the next two seasons and the outfielder is likely enthused about seeing more playing time in New York. Here's more on the Angels and the rest of the AL West..
- The Wells trade didn't just help the Angels' finances, it paved the way for Peter Bourjos to take over in center field, writes Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. General Manager Jerry Dipoto believes that Bourjos has plenty of room to grow and sees him excelling now that he has the everyday job and can relax.
- Angels manager Mike Scioscia doesn't think that his club's bench necessarily took a step back by losing Wells, writes MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez. Because Wells is accustomed to starting over the course of his career, Scioscia doesn't believe that he was going to get into a rhythm without consistent playing time.
- While some have been critical of the Astros' thin payroll, commissioner Bud Selig says that he doesn't have a problem with it, writes Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle. "I do trust the organization," Selig said. "Look, every organization goes through certain phases. They have chosen the path with some very qualified people. And the only way you can really build a solid organization, a solid team, is through a very productive farm system. And I think they're doing it the right way. There's no question in my mind."
Minor Moves: Townsend, Royals, Green, Geltz
Here are some of today's minor moves:
- Tyler Townsend, an Orioles' first base prospect who impressed when healthy but could not overcome his myriad injuries, has announced his retirement, reports Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com. Despite his "great swing," Townsend ultimately "was just not enjoying the process" due to the series of hamstring, wrist, and hip injuries he suffered, explained O's director of player developmet Brian Graham.
- The Royals have released minor league pitchers Michael Giovenco, Jose Jimenez, Leondy Perez, and Elisaul Pimentel, reports Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star. K.C. originally acquired Pimentel before the 2010 trade deadline along with catcher Lucas May, in a deal that sent Scott Podsednik to the Dodgers.
- Marlins infielder Nick Green has been "sent down" by Miami and "may consider opting out" of his deal with the club, CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman tweets. Green elected free agency when he was outrighted to Triple-A by the Marlins last fall, only to return to the club on a minor league deal in January.
- Righty Steve Geltz was outrighted by the Angels today and will head to the club's Triple-A affiliate, MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez reports on Twitter. The move opens a 40-man roster spot for the Angels. Geltz, 25, saw his first big league action last year for L.A., logging just two innings in relief. While Geltz posted a 0.36 ERA in 25 1/3 Double-A innings last year, he sported a 5.08 ERA in his 33 2/3 innings at Triple-A Salt Lake.
Yankees Acquire Vernon Wells
A player with a supposedly untradeable contract has been dealt for a second time, as the Yankees acquired outfielder Vernon Wells from the Angels on a salary dump deal. The trade was announced officially today, and the Halos received a couple of token minor leaguers in outfielder Exicardo Cayones and lefty reliever Kramer Sneed. The big benefit for the Angels was salary relief, as the Yankees will reportedly assume a surprising $13.9MM of the $42MM owed to Wells for 2013-14, of which they'll pay $11.5MM this year to avoid a luxury tax hit in 2014. Wells was happy to waive his no-trade clause and escape a likely fate of being buried on the Angels' bench.
Wells, 34, was acquired to serve as the Yankees' everyday left fielder until Curtis Granderson returns to the lineup in May from a broken wrist. Signed to a seven-year, $126MM extension by the Blue Jays in 2006, Wells posted a solid year in 2010 that allowed Toronto to unload most of his remaining $86MM on the Angels, which also cost the Halos Mike Napoli and cost GM Tony Reagins his job. Wells performed terribly after the trade, hitting .222/.258/.409 in 791 plate appearances. It was surprising to see the Yankees essentially give a two-year, $13.9MM contract to a player most teams would consider a fourth outfielder at best. By comparison, the Cubs signed Scott Hairston this offseason for two years and $5MM. The trade is a big win for Angels GM Jerry Dipoto, who unloads a player he didn't need and avoids the Competitive Balance Tax.
Cayones, 21, was acquired by the Yankees from the Pirates in the A.J. Burnett trade in February of last year, so he's again attached to a salary dump. He hit .228/.374/.291 in 200 Low-A plate appearances last year, playing mostly right field. Sneed, 24, posted a 5.37 ERA, 6.9 K/9, 5.7 BB/9, and 0.71 HR/9 in 63 2/3 High-A innings last year. Neither is considered much of a prospect, which makes sense with the Yankees assuming so much of Wells' contract.
Yahoo's Jeff Passan first broke the story on Sunday, with Jim Bowden, Mike DiGiovanna, Alden Gonzalez, Jon Heyman, Buster Olney, Joel Sherman, and Mark Feinsand also contributing along the way. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Quick Hits: Expos, Vlad, Indians, Betancourt, Ankiel
Former Expos outfielder Warren Cromartie is convinced that the city of Montreal would welcome baseball back with open arms, writes Bill Beacon of the Canadian Press. Cromartie is heading up the Montreal Baseball Project — an organization that has been formed with the goal of bringing baseball back to Montreal. The $400K project will be completed by year's end and feature financial analysis, legal consultation and extensive market research among the city's population. Here's more from around the league for those of you in the mood for some late-night reading…
- Former Expo (and Angel, Ranger and Oriole) Vladimir Guerrero has an offer from the independent league Quebec Capitales, and he's been in contact with the Long Island Ducks as well, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (confirming an earlier tweet from Chris Cotillo).
- The Indians are hopeful of working out a trade with the Rangers to keep Rule 5 Draft pick Chris McGuiness, tweets MLB.com's Jordan Bastian.
- The Yankees had preliminary discussions with Yuniesky Betancourt on Sunday but don't see a fit, Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger reports (via Twitter).
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart breaks down Rick Ankiel's incentive structure with the Astros (on Twitter). Ankiel, who has a $750K base salary, will receive $75K for 200, 250 and 300 plate appearances. He'll then receive $100K for 350, 400 and 450 plate appearances. All told, he could earn $1.275MM. Ankiel, an Article XX(B) free agent, was named the team's everyday right fielder earlier today.
- Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times expects the Angels to receive a low- to mid-level prospect from the Yankees when the reported Vernon Wells trade is finalized (Twitter link).
- Joey Nowak of MLB.com lists 12 notable out of options players who could be traded before the end of Spring Training.
Angels, Yankees In Agreement On Vernon Wells Trade
11:42pm: Joel Sherman of the New York Post says "most of the dollars will be applied to 2013" for the Yankees. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News has further details, explaining how "fancy accounting" could actually lead to a luxury tax credit for 2014. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports pegs the Yankees' tab closer to $14MM.
5:44pm: Out of the $42MM owed to Vernon Wells for 2013-14, the Yankees will pay in the range of $12-14MM, tweets Heyman. Earlier this afternoon, Heyman reported that the Yankees and Angels are in agreement on the deal, and "only seemingly small hurdles like commissioner approval remain." Since Wells has been a complete non-factor over the last two seasons, unloading $12MM+ of his contract seems like a big win for the Halos. – Tim Dierkes
3:28pm: Wells has let the Angels know he will accept the trade, tweets Heyman. "Always tough to say goodbye, but I'm excited," Wells told reporters, including MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez, as he was pulling out of the Angels' parking lot.
2:45pm: The Angels and Yankees are discussing a trade involving Vernon Wells and a deal could be done today, sources tell Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com categorized the talks as serious (on Twitter). Passan however tweeted one important caveat: Wells has a no-trade clause and it is uncertain whether he would waive it for the Yankees. A source tells ESPN.com's Buster Olney there is a "strong chance" the deal happens as Wells is said by a teammate to be excited about the possibility of joining the Yankees (via Twitter).
Wells is owed $42MM over the next two years and Passan tweeted the Yankees will receive some money in the deal, but the amount is not nearly as significant as one might think. The New York Post's Joel Sherman suspects the Angels will need to eat $34MM and that, along with the no-trade clause, will require more time before a trade can be finalized (Twitter links).
Last month, it was reported the Yankees were not expected to deal for Wells. But with Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter expected to start the season on the disabled list, their need for Wells' bat has increased with the 34-year-old likely becoming the everyday left fielder.
Charlie Wilmoth and Tim Dierkes contributed to this post.
Yankees And Angels Notes: Wells Trade, Bourjos
The trade of the Angels' Vernon Wells to the Yankees appears to be on a path toward becoming official. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports has tweeted that the two teams are in agreement. Wells himself has acknowledged the trade, and has cleaned out his locker. Here are some notes on the deal.
- For the Yankees, the trade is a sign of desperation, Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan writes. "The reaction to the deal across baseball was a mix of wonderment and criticism," Passan reports, taking note of Wells' declining batting average and on-base percentage. Passan also writes that the Yankees' dependence on aging players such as Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson led to the rash of injuries that motivated their interest in Wells. The Yankees have alternatives in their own system who are better than Wells, Passan argues, including Melky Mesa and Zoilo Almonte.
- Richard Justice of MLB.com calls the Wells deal "a puzzling move," noting that the price the Yankees will pay — likely somewhere around $13MM for two seasons — is "no bargain." Wells "might not even be an upgrade over Brennan Boesch," Justice says. Ultimately, however, Justice describes Wells as "a gamble worth taking," thanks in part to his ability to play all three outfield positions.
- The trade would give the Angels' Peter Bourjos more breathing room, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com writes. Bourjos was already the Angels' starter in center field, but with Wells gone, there will be less of a threat Bourjos will be replaced if he doesn't have a good start to the season.